August 19th, 2025

Ten Ways To Enjoy National Shooting Sports Month

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August is officially National Shooting Sports Month, sponsored by NSSF, the National Shooting Sports Foundation. This month, head to the range, and bring a newbie to introduce him or her to the sport. NSSF’s +ONE Movement encourages experienced shooters to mentor newcomers, so bring a friend to the range, teach firearms safety, and have fun together. More than 63 million adults and youth participate in target shooting sports, and NSSF invites you to give shooting a try!

1. Rediscover Shooting

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Haven’t shot in a while? Dust off your shooting gear. Always check to see if firearms are loaded when removing them from storage. And call an old shooting buddy or family member to join you.

2. Try a Drill or Competition

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There are many ways to build shooting skills, but two of the most rewarding ways of self-improvement often come from timed drills, accuracy drills or competitions. Find a drill for you or a local pistol, rifle or shotgun competition. There many even be a multi-gun competition.

3. Take Your First Shots

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Safety orientation, range rules, range officers… there are things you need to know about if you haven’t tried target shooting before. Learn about range safety and etiquette and consider taking an introductory class like First Shots.

4. Take a Date to the Range

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Make it a date! Ask your spouse/partner to go target shooting with you. You’ll have a great time together. Don’t have someone to go with? Call the range and ask about shooting events and training classes.

5. Be a Mentor

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The right teacher makes all the difference when learning a new activity. The +ONE initiative inspires experienced shooters and hunters to guide newcomers and novices on how to safely handle firearms and learn marksmanship skills.

6. Brush Up on Safety

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Enroll in a firearm training course or review the rules of firearm safety. Responsible gun owners safely handle their firearms and securely store them when not in use. Check with your local retailer of range for in-person training opportunities.

7. Tune Up for Hunting Season

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Hunting is fun and can provide the ability to harvest healthful food. A trip to a firearms retailer or range can help you prepare for hunting season. You can enroll in a hunter education course, find the right gear, and get your rifle sited properly for the fall hunting season.

8. Take Advantage of August Deals

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Retailers and ranges will be offering specials during National Shooting Sports Month at thousands of events nationwide. Find a participating business near you to take advantage of these notable offers at ShootingSportsmonth.org.

9. Have A Fun Target Match with Friends

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With pistols and rimfire rifles you can have fun shooting indoors, and many ranges are open after work. This is an opportunity to have funs with friends and co-workers. NSSF offers a variety of nice targets you can print out.

10. Share #LetsGoShooting with Friends and Social Media

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#LetsGoShooting is the official theme of National Shooting Sports Month. Share your shooting experience on social media networds and encourage other to go to the range for fun, socializing, and training.

Whether you’re new to target shooting, a first-time gun owner or experienced, see what National Shooting Sports Month has to offer at your shooting range or firearm retailer. America’s firearm owners will find National Shooting Sports Month in August a great time to spend a day at the range enjoying their favorite target-shooting sports with friends and family members. It’s also a time for millions of first-time gun owners to check out all that the shooting sports have to offer.

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